Candidate Forum, 10/18/23

Seneca County Commissioner Bill Frankart attends Candidate Forum at Good Shepherd Home

By Sheri Trusty

Seneca County Commissioner Bill Frankart attended a Candidate Forum at Good Shepherd Home on Oct. 18, where local office seekers introduced themselves and shared their visions for Fostoria and the county before a group of residents who live on the Good Shepherd campus. Frankart attended the event to learn more about the candidates who want to help make Seneca County an even better place to live.

Speaking at the forum were Fostoria mayoral candidates Don Mennel and Elliott Shaffer; Fostoria City Council at Large candidates Greg Cassidy, Braden Hall and Robert Podach; Municipal Court Judge candidates James Fruth and incumbent Judge Rhonda Best; and Fostoria School Board Candidate Nichole Jones.

The candidates discussed a wide range of issues they plan to address if elected. City concerns included landlord property maintenance compliance and Fostoria’s financial emergency status. Countywide issues addressed by candidates include ongoing issues at Sunny Farms Landfill and its proposed expansion and the municipal court’s PIVOT program.

Karen Eatmon, who lives in an independent condo on the Good Shepherd campus, was surprised by the information presented at the forum.

“I loved the forum. I came with preconceived notions, but I changed my mind on a couple of things,” Eatmon said. “I was really impressed with several of them.”

Eatmon was appreciative that the candidates took the time to visit Good Shepherd to talk with the residents, some of whom are physically unable to travel to public events outside the home.

“Everybody here votes, so if the candidates showed up, that was important,” she said.

Frankart expressed appreciation to Good Shepherd for welcoming the political process into its doors.

“I would like to thank Good Shepherd Home for hosting the forum,” Frankart said. “There were a lot of strong candidates here today.”